One workforce is utilizing this season to indicate folks that they aren’t who they’ve all the time been. The opposite is hoping this postseason received’t finish prefer it often does — with embarrassment. When Detroit travels to Dallas in two weeks, we’ll have a greater thought of which workforce is destined to repeat historical past.
As of proper now, the Cowboys (NFC East) and the Lions (NFC North) sit atop their divisions, locked firmly into the postseason as Dallas (10-3) is the No. 2 seed within the NFC with Detroit (9-4) hanging round at No. 3. The final time these two franchises met within the postseason, the Lions misplaced to the Cowboys on the street within the Wild Card spherical of the 2014 playoffs. The time earlier than that, it was the final time Detroit received a postseason recreation, a 38-6 win over Dallas within the Silverdome in 1991.
Lions followers would lose their minds in the event that they beat the Cowboys within the postseason. However earlier than that may occur, Detroit — and Dallas — ought to give attention to their upcoming matchup in Texas.
For the Lions, 2023 has been proof that their fortunes might be altering as they’re constructing off their 9-8 end from final 12 months. That time was magnified after they upset the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on the street within the season opener. However, losses to good groups like Seattle and Baltimore, and common and not-so-good groups like Inexperienced Bay (at residence on Thanksgiving) and Chicago, are proof that the Lions nonetheless haven’t had a win over a “good team” since September.
This weekend, Detroit welcomes a Denver workforce that wants each win it could actually get to remain within the playoff hunt, because the Lions are coming off a head-scratching loss to Chicago. “You know what, I need to push it a little more. I just need to be a little more irritable,” mentioned Lions coach Dan Campbell after the sport. “Which I can do that.”
I suppose we’ll see on Saturday evening. After that, Detroit heads to Minnesota for the primary of their two conferences within the last three weeks of the season, because the Vikings additionally want as many wins as they’ll get to make the postseason. After enjoying Denver and in between lining up towards Minnesota two occasions in 15 days, sit the Cowboys who’re on a five-game profitable streak.
For Dallas, issues may get attention-grabbing earlier than Detroit involves city. On Sunday, they journey to Buffalo to play a determined Payments workforce. After that, they head to Miami to play a Dolphins workforce that may rating greater than anyone on any given day, organising a showdown between a few of the greatest offensive and defensive models within the league. After which the Lions come to the city.
Loads can occur between now and December thirtieth. However regardless of if one or each of the groups are on dropping or profitable streaks, it’s a recreation that they each have to win. Dallas must put some area between itself and the Lions. Detroit must beat one other good workforce. It’s a night recreation on a vacation weekend that may air on ABC and ESPN — everybody shall be watching.
And as a consequence of what occurred on Thursday Evening Soccer, these two groups have one thing else in widespread — enjoying the Los Angeles Chargers this season. Oddly sufficient, the workforce that permit the Raiders hold 63 on them performed the Lions and Cowboys robust, as they nonetheless had their franchise quarterback on the time. Dallas beat Los Angeles, 20-17 , in Week 6, and Detroit beat them, 41-38, in Week 10.
For years, the Dallas Cowboys have been a postseason proverbial letdown. All of the hype from the season often ends with unhappy fan reactions and steady trolling from Stephen A. Smith. For Detroit, it’s been a long time of torture, because the fan base has been praying for a season like this to show to the remainder of the league that these aren’t the “same ole Lions.” All of that shall be at stake in a number of weeks. For one shade of blue, a win may imply every thing. For the opposite, a first-round bye might be in play. For each, it may wind up being the most important recreation of the common season.
